Background:
The occurrence of a primary intramuscular infestation of Echinococcus granulosus is extremely rare.
Case
A 70-year-old woman with primary skeletal muscle hydatidosis initially presented with a soft tissue mass. Clinical and radiologic examination revealed a huge cystic mass in the right quadriceps muscle without any visceral organ involvement. Since the differential diagnosis included a soft tissue tumor, fine needle aspiration cytology was performed, and a diagnosis of hydatid disease was made.
Conclusion:
This very rare case of primary intramuscular infestation of E granulosus was clinically misdiagnosed as a soft tissue tumor. Hydatid disease, albeit rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a soft tissue mass. (Acta Cytol 2007;51:631-633)